1952 SIATA GRAN SPORT BARCHETTA
Founded in 1926 by enthusiastic amateur racing driver Giorgio Ambrosini, Siata - short for Societa Italiana Applicazione Transformazone Automobilistiche - began by specialising in providing tuning equipment for various cars, mainly Fiats and in particular the 508 Ballila of 1932 for which Siata more than doubled the power output. There was also an overhead valve conversion for the Topolino, a car on which Siata based several road and racing models; one derivative was a 596cc aerodynamic coupeé that in 1938 set a world class speed record by topping 70 mph.
Ten years later the innovative company introduced the novel Bersaglieri with twin camshaft, alloy engine and all independent suspension in a tubular chassis, its driver sitting in the centre of three seats. However, the first true Siata production car was the Amica, a two seat coupe or spyder with tubular chassis and modified Fiat 500cc engine; a 750cc version even won the 1948 Italian Racing Championship. In 1950 Siata switched to the Fiat 1400 as the base for its own models, a policy it continued up until 1958.
Simultaneously, however, Siata also built American engined cars which it sold in the USA alongside the 120mph Fiat 2.0 litre V8 powered 208S America. Apart from Italy, the company's largest market was America where the Barchetta was sold as the 'Spyder'.
Launched at the 1952 Geneva Salon and bodied by Bertone, it was very much aimed at a US clientele fond of small 'Made in Italy' sports cars. The first 50 examples were sent to East Coast importer Tony Pompeo in New York, usually without engines. With prices of $2,800 for the SIATA Spyder without engine, $4,200 for the more luxurious Gran Sport and $5,300 for the FIAT V8-engined 208S, none of Tony Pompeo's cars were cheap.
The V8 engine had been introduced in the Fiat 8V sports car of 1952, a model which had been developed by Fiat in conjunction with Siata, reflecting this small specialist firm's high standing. The following year a 208S competed successfully in the gruelling Carrera Pan Americana road race. Benefiting from this engineering and competition pedigree was the 201S, a pretty, low roof line, curvaceous Berlinetta not unlike an OSCA-Maserati.
This fabulous Gran sport Barchetta was built with beautifully uncomplicated and stylish alloy open two seater bodywork by Farina, featuring minimal external brightwork to complicate its lines. Finished in red with black interior trim, our car was one of about 6 delivered new to the USA and was probably fitted with the Fiat 1400cc Engine from new although this was discarded early on. It was delivered new to a Lieutenant Colonel in Ohio and was fitted in period with a Flathead V8. It is now fitted with a period Ford 302 V8 although the Flathead type engine is also supplied with the car. There were only about 20 of these car sold new with only about 13 known to survive.
The car is fitted with an elegantly simple low level windscreen and also comes with the larger windscreen with wet weather gear. Our car has been comprehensively restored and is now near perfect and ready to show and use. We have a huge history file with the car including hundreds of Restoration invoices! The car is currently UK registered with all EU taxes paid. The car is simply stunning! This is a rare opportunity to acquire such a stylish racing Barchetta by one of the most exclusive and under-estimated specialist coachbuilders working in Italy in the early postwar period. It is a wonderful car suitable for long distance crusing and would certainly be eligible for numerous rallies and events worldwide.
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Located in England
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